DVDS For Sale about the lives of US Presidents and First Ladies

Due to requests from audience members, we have made DVDs available of our featured touring programs for the past few years.

George and Martha Washington

Did a marriage of convenience lead to our "First" First couple? If true love wasn't the spark of the marriage, it certainly grew as the years passed and Martha shared the struggles of George first during the revolution then the Presidency. She certainly deserved to share in the words of praise once spoken about her husband "first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of the countrymen". In their presentation The Wills not only refresh for you the history of the times, but will give you a glimpse of the Washingtons as a loving supportive couple, caring parents - George in the role of stepfather and individuals ready to put personal desires aside for the sake of the nation. Much of the information is taken directly from their letters, General Orders during the war, and Presidential messages.

John and Abigail Adams

In history, John Adams gets lost between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson while his wife, Abigail is well known for her early political role as an activist for women. Our program focuses on the tremendous sacrifices both made as husband & wife / father & mother in helping to establish our nation. Audiences of any age will relate to the happy and tragic moments of their amazing story---America's first true political partnership.

James and Dolley Madison

James Madison, being deathsshy and sof spoken, found the perfect complimentary match in widowed, yet effervescent, Dolley Todd, who came from a Quaker background. As a young wife, she suffered the of her husband and a young son. Her remaining son, Payne, was a constant cause of heartbreak for the Madisons.
James, known as the "father of the Constitution" came from a Virginia plantation family. As President, he headed the nation during an unpopular war with Great Britai which led to the burning of the White House and Dolley's heroic escape.

John Quincy and Louisa Adams

The son of our 2nd President, John Quincy carved out a government career that rivaled his father. From age 14 to 81 he worked tirelessly for the United States. He negotiated treaties, was Secretary of State, after the Presidency served in Congress leading the fight against slavery and defended the slaves of the Amistead. His relationship with Louisa was not always smooth, yet they forged a working partnership. Louisa was our only foreign born First Lady and was a prolific writer.

The Jacksons and The Grants

Rachel Jackson was never really First Lady, but merely”First Lady elect”, as she met her sudden and untimely death just months before Andy took the oath of office. In fact it might have been campaign slanders that caused her death. Our story ends with Rachel’s passing over and focuses on Jackson’s life until then, not the Presidency.
Julia Grant once said that “failure seemed to be the only thing that Ulysses did well”, but she still had an unwavering faith in his ability. His military successes during the Civil War propelled him to the Presidency, a very unlikely scenario for a man who earlier in his military service had to resign from the Army under dubious circumstances. His Presidency mirrored his earlier life, a mixture of triumphs and scandals in his administration. But the tale of Ulys and Julia is truly great love story

William Henry and Anna Harrison AND John, Letitia, and Julia Tyler

Tippecanoe and Tyler,too ! may be the most well-known Presidential campaign slogan in history, but about two of the least known Presidents. Now you will come to know the men behind the slogan, and the families behind the men. Harrison was a war hero, was the oldest elected President until Ronald Reagan. Tyler was the first man to ascend to the Presidency from Vice-President and set the example for all such future Presidents. Between them, they fathered 25 children !! Find out how the terms BOOZE, KEEP THE BALL ROLLING came into being and how HAIL TO THE CHIEF became the Presidential song.

Abraham and Mary Lincoln

What could have attracted a Southern belle born of a well-to-do family to an uneducated struggling lawyer born in a log cabin ? The answer--politics--and the desire for greatness--and, yes, love. Abraham had their wedding rings inscribed with the words Love is Eternal, yet their relationship was a rare one of deep love and an ambitious desire for political success. Sadly once in the position of First Lady of the Land, Mary only suffered troubles, hatred, and tragedy. Abraham's humor, insights, and spiritual strength formed the foundation on which Mary could rely . Once that was removed by his assassination, her life crumbled as well.

Andrew and Eliza Johnson

Andrew Johnson was the only Southern Senator who stayed loyal to the Union, and functioned as Military Governor of Tennessee during the Civil War. This led to the Vice-Presidency on the Union Ticket in 1864 with President Lincoln, which led to his ascent to the Presidency. These were years when he had escape death threats and impeachment. Eliza was a strong figure in his life, but always in the back ground. They were the "First Couple" who married at the youngest age. Johnson was such a strong believer in the US Constitution that he requested that his copy be buried with him.

Cleveland/Harrison/Cleveland

When Grover Cleveland took office in 1885, he was our nation’s second bachelor President--within 15 months not only did he marry, but at the
age of 49 he married 21 yr. old Frances Folsom whom he had helped raise!!! He was the only man to lose reelection than regain the White House.
Cleveland issued 584 vetoes and often went against his own party.
Benjamin Harrison’s grandfather had been President of the

United States

and Ben’s father was a

Congressman who became estranged from Ben
for joining that "radical" Republican party. Benjamin and Caroline’s relationship was a teenage romance that lasted through 39 years of
marriage. Yet after leaving the White House and less than 3 years after hiswife's death, at the age of 62, he married his wife's 37 year old niece !!

Theodore and Edith Roosevelt

People know much about Teddy Roosevelt, and some about Alice Roosevelt his daughter. But few know much about the two women who were married to Theodore-his first wife of only 3 1/2 years, Alice, and his second wife, Edith-the woman who admired "Thee" with all his strengths and faults since they were playmates together at the ages of three and six respectively. She was the one controlling force in Theodore's life of risk taking. Edith succeeded in doing something numerous First Ladies prior to her had tried and failed to do--a major renovation of the White House creating the basic look of today.

William Howard and Nellie Taft

The desire to be First Lady was something in Nellie's heart since she was a young girl and the desire to be Chief Justice was always in Bill's heart. As rarely occurs in life, both got what they desired -with Bill Taft taking a detour to be the President of the United States. Both left lasting legacies on the landscape of Washington – Nellie was responsible for the beautiful cherry blossom trees around the tidal basin in Washington and Bill for the marvelous Supreme Court building. Bill Taft's marvelous personality and his unique relationship with Theodore Roosevelt are highlighted in the script. We think that Big Bill Taft was the nicest man to hold the office of the Presidency. Will Rogers said of him:

“It’s great to be great, but it’s greater to be human”

Woodrow, Ellen, and Edith Wilson

It is rare to feel true love once in a lifetime, but Woodrow Wilson was twice blest as his wife of thirty years, Ellen, bore him children, inspired him through his educational career, and finally helped him to the Presidency. Her untimely death during Wilson's first term, almost caused the President to resign. But Woodrow found another helpmate, and Edith guided Woodrow and his Presidency through war and severe sickness, and finally was his strength until death. Audiences will learn that Woodrow Wilson was not the staid college professor, but a man of deep emotions.

Warren and Florence Harding AND Calvin and Grace Coolidge

With nervous breakdowns, illicit love affairs, an illegitimate child, and a record in the Senate of missing 1/3 of the roll call votes, the past of Warren Harding doesn't seem to be the right mix to create one of the largest landslides in American history 61% to 35%. But Warren had a strong woman behind him in Flossie and was loved by the American public. He worked so very hard to be a good President and in his two years in office had several major successes. His stature didn't fall until after his death and many scandals.

"Silent Cal" might be Mr. Coolidge’s nickname, but, although he was reticent to speak, he was full of humor, witticism, and had a meteoric political life brought about by hard work. The fact that his wife, Grace, once in Washington, allowed her effervescent personality shine through to the American people also helped Cal--this despite having to experience one of the saddest tragedies to occur to any Presidential couple.

Herbert and Lou Hoover

Of the many Presidential couples we perform, we get a special pleasure from presenting The Hoovers because most people, even to this day, simply associate Hoover with Depression. We are proud to remind folks of the tremendous humanitarian services both Hoovers rendered in their lifetimes, especially in the area of the betterment of children. The comment we hear most often is

You have given me an entirely different outlook on Herbert and Lou Hoover.

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

We tend to remember President Franklin and First Lady Eleanor, and why not as they were in those positions longer than any other couple. But sometimes forgotten are the two young people who met and fell in love and the years of triumphs and tragedies that led up to 1932 and shaped their personalities and their relationship. We focus more on this private side and how that affected their public lives.

As Eleanor Roosevelt herself wrote:

“Men and women who live together through long years come to know one another's failings, but they also come to know what is worthy of respect and admiration in those they live with and in themselves.”

Harry and Bess Truman

When Harry Truman left office in January of 1953, he had one of, if not the, lowest public approval ratings of any modern President. Yet in the years that have passed, his statue among historians and especially the American public has risen considerably, until Harry has become one of the most beloved Presidents of the modern era. And although Bess did her best to stay in the background, theirs was a working partnership throughout their 50 years of married life. The Wills make the Trumans come alive once again; you will laugh, you will remember the times, and you may even shed a tear.

Dwight (Ike) and Mamie Eisenhower

Ike was first a soldier and Mamie was first a wife...the Presidency and First Ladyship almost seemed secondary. Ike was in office during 8 years of peace and prosperity, while the "cold war" raged. Mamie epitomized the ideal "50's wife" who enjoyed her role of being simply "Ike's wife". As a young couple, Ike and Mamie suffered the tragic loss of a child and Mamie had to adapt concinually to the many moves of an Army wife.
Ike's career in the Army was often frustrating, yet every step prepared him for his buggest undertaking, being Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II and then President of the United States

Jack and Jackie Kennedy, A Presidential Press Conference

Since Jack Kennedy was so well known for his press conferences, we decided to present their life together in that format. I know you are thinking, "What else can you tell us about the Kennedys that we don't already know". Probably not much, yet by condensing their 10 short years of marriage containing the numerous private and public joys, sorrows, tragedies, and moments of decision into 60 minutes, the impact of their lives together is intensified. As one recent audience member commented

You made Camelot come alive again !!

Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson

You've heard of the term "whirlwind courtship"? You will see exactly what that means in the story of Lyndon and Lady Bird. In their married years "Bird" grew into an astute business woman and Lyndon became known as "The Master of the Senate". Thus it was not a surprise that when he became President his administration passed more important legislation in less time than any since FDR. Lyndon became known for his bigger than life personality and as Lady Bird herself said that life with Lyndon was "one big adventure".

Richard and Pat Nixon

Richard Nixon chased Pat Ryan for over two years before she said “yes” to marriage...a marriage that would last over 50 years. She traveled with her husband during the Vice-Presidential years, facing death from unruly crowds in South and Central America and stood by his side urging up to fight to the end as he faced resignation. Behind the image of "Plastic Pat", as many in the press called her, was a wonderful, loving and tender mother and wife.. The legacy of Richard is still being debated – should he be more remembered as the President who resigned or the President who opened doors to China and perhaps saved Israel from extinction

Our Major(^{of
the Army})Presidents - The Monroes and the McKinleys

There have been plenty of Generals elected President, but only two Majors – Monroe and McKinley.

James Monroe nearly matched George Washington's record of being unanimously chosen President by the Electoral College--failing by only one vote. Although his wife, Elizabeth, had difficulties with her "image" as First Lady, she had performed earlier in her marriage one of the most courageous deeds ever attributed to a female of that era – saving the life of the wife of the Marquis de Lafayette from the guillotine.
A handsome Civil War hero with a bright future marrying the belle of the town seemed to be the formula to make for a happy life, when William and Ida married in 1871. But the deaths of two young children resulted in Ida being subject to seizures and in need of constant attention....which William lavished on her. William was a much beloved President and part of that admiration came from his affectionate caring for his wife.

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